Target throwing device



Dec. 7, 1948. F. G. DU PONT' TARGET TH'R'OWING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20,1945 INVENTGR FRANCIS G. DU PONT AGENT direction of arrows 4-4 of. Fi 2.

Patented Dec. 7, 1948 UNITED, STATEE S BATENT OFFICE j ansassimncn'riirnnowrndnnvlon Francis G. diiilont, Utica, N. Y., assignor toRemington Arms Company, Inc., Bridgeport, Conn.,a corporation ofDelaware t ]App1 ication"lloven1ber 20, 1945, Serial No. 629,813

The present invention rem n generalito target throwing devices, and, inparticular; to iniprovements in traps such as used intrap and skeetshooting.

In using target throwing traps and especially the trap shown anddescribed in the copending application of Rutherford et al., Serial No.

519,722, filed January26, 1944; now Patent No.

2,432.446, issuedDecember 9, 1947; the throwing arm is secured to acarrier head and is held in cocked position by engagement of a pawl,pivotally mounted on the carrier head, with a manually actuated orspring loaded trigger. When the throwing arm is in cocked position, themutually engaging surfaces of the pawl and trigger are under load due tothe force of thetensioned An object of the invention is the provision ofimproved means for latching the trapthrowing arm. A further object is toprovide improved trap latching means which maybe quickly andconveniently operated to release the trap and which will withstandlongperiods of servicewithout exhibiting excessive wear. 2 i Theseandother objectspfeatures and advantages of the invention will be moreparticularly described in the following specification; reference beinmadeto thedrawing in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspectiveviewwofaxtarget throwing trap embodying the improvedlatching means of thisinvention. i

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the trap of Fig. 1 showing thecooking andreleasing 1mechanism for the throwing. arm and including theimproved latching meansyof this invention, the carrier head being initsnormal position prior to cocking. i i i Fig. 3. is afragmentaryplanviewysimilar to Fig. 2, but with the carrier head held incocked position. r H 3 Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevationtof thetrap cocking and releasing. mechanism in the a i Referring to thedrawing, the trap shown in Fig. 1 is described in detail in theabove-identified Rutherford et a1. application and is illustrative onlyofatarget throwinggdevice towhich the improved latching means of thisinvention is appliand pawl assembly. The ratchet disk 23 isrotatablymounted on the post I! between the upper beam to the bracket II.

upper and lower flanges l5 and 16 respectively,

cocking bar 25. l formed on one edge of the disk 23. At substancable. Itwill be understood that the invention mayhave other uses and is limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

indicated generally at I2, and which constitutes a flanged beam l3having a depending web [4 to accommodate fastening means for securingthe The forwardend of the beam it terminates in a hock-shaped head whichsee Fig. 4:, connected by a substantially vertical web member. Theflanges I5 and I6 are provided with vertically aligned bushedaperturesto receive a post I1, the upper end of which projects above the upperflange I5 and constitutes an axis for the carrier head It, the latterbeing freely rotatable thereon. The carrier head is connected by meansof a link [9 having a bevelled shoulder 19 to-the forward end of themain spring 20, the

throwing arc to rapidly decelerate the throwing arm; The throwing arm 2|is secured to the top planar surface of the carrier head it and is movedinto cocked position by means of a ratchet disk and lower flanges l5 and16 of the frame and is provided on its bottom surface and adjacent itsperiphery with an integral bifuncated lug 24, see Fig. 4;to which ispivoted the forward end of the Suitable ratchet teeth 26 are tially theoppositeside of the disk 23 is a depending lug ZI which isformedintegrally with or otherwise secured to the underside of the disk.

The carrier headlBhas a substantially vertical radially extending webportion 28 at the outer end of whichis a boss 29. A hole extendsupwardly in this boss from the underside thereof for receiving a pawlpivot pin 30 which is adapted to pivotally support apawl on theunderside of j the boss 29. The pawl is adapted normally to engage atooth of the ratchet disk 23 so that by pulling rearwardlyon the cookingbar 25 of the disk, the carrier head and throwing arm 2| will be rotatedclockwise into cocked position in which position the carrier headistemporarily held against the force of the tensioned main spring by atrigger and trigger locking mechanism.

As mentioned above, in the trap of the Rutherford et a1. application thecarrier is held in cocked position by engagement of a pawl with thetrigger which may be operated manually or by means of a spring torelease the pawl.

The description thus far has been a general one of a trapof-tlre typeshown in Fig. 1. The present invention relates to an improved latchingmeans for holding the carrier head and throwing arm in cocked position.Referring to Fig. 2, the

boss 29 of the carrier head I8 is shown provided with a lateralextension 32 having "at "its outer end an integral depending'lug 33which-is asubstantially rectangular parallelepiped having -a squareshoulder 34 at one end and a bevelled shoulder 35 at its opposite end. Arecess 36 is provided on the inner face of the lug "a'nd c'on'stitutes aseat for one end of a pawl spring 31, the. opposite end of Which isadapted to engage in a recess '38 in theadjacent-side of a-pivoted pawl33.

The pawl-39 has a tooth 40 depending from its forward end adaptednormally to be held in engagement with'a tooth 26 of the ratchet disk 23=-by-thef0rce of the pawl spring3'l, The opposite or-rearend'of thepawl-is tapered to form a lever arm the end of which is provided withaV- shaped-notch 43 ass-shown in Fig. 4.

The trigger -for latching and releasing the cooked carrierheadis shownat 44 and comprises anarm mounted between the upper and lower flanges ofthe frame by a vertically disposed pivot .pin 45 intermediate the endsof the trigger arm. A cylindrical boss 46 is shown on the uppersurfaceofthe-trigger arm and slightly eccentric to horizontal plane of theratchet 'disk'2'3 (Fig. 4)

in line with the apex of the v-shapednotch 43 of the pawl arm 42. Therear arrr lfl of the trigger spring en'circlesa second-hub 49' on thetrigger and lies in a"horiz'ontal.plane beneath thera't'chet disk Handin the path oi the diOendihg Iug'ZT.

The rear end portion of the trigger 44 'is substantially' identical tothe corresponding portion ofthe trigger used in the Rutherford et a1.tra'p trigger; ;Since therpawbhas been relieved of :the

and 'enibodiesa curved edge 50 arranged to be cooperatively engaged bythe correspomimgi curved edge 52 of the s'pur"53 of'apivote'd lockinglever 54. The latter is biased by a spring 55hofr- "many t'dDiVt'counterciocirwise'an automatically lock the trigger in the manner "andrortnepurpos'e describe'd'bel'ow.

is provided with an integral Substantially U- shaped upstanding flange56"alon'g1 its outer edge.

provided with an adjustable stop -5s. The ibr- 'wa'rdly disposed is;seer thefia'n'ge constitutes a guard which partially encircles acylin'dricalroller 60 supported to rotate freely ohfayertic'alpln 62secured at the forward end of -the trigger.

The operation of the improved latching" i'rieans is as follows: Assumingthe carrier hea'dan'd ratchet disk are in theirnorinal positions, as

shown inFig. '2,the lug 27 of'the disk"23"wi11"be in engagement with therear arrn49' of thet'rigger spring and tension the samesuflicientlyto-rotate 4 disk 23 clockwise. Since the tooth 40 of thepawl 39 is normally held in engagement with a tooth 26 of the ratchetdisk by the force of the pawl spring 31, the carrier head l8 andthrowing arm 2| will be rotated clockwise. Continued rotation of theratchet disk in this direction will eventually-carry the tapered end42of the pawl against "the' forward arm"'48 of the trigger spring, the arm48 engaging in the V-shaped notch 43 of the pawl. The clockwise rotationof the ratchet disk has, of course, carried the lug 21 out ofengagen1entwith-the rear arm 49 of the trigger sprin and consequentlythe trigger 44 will be biased by the-energy'of-the-tensioned fore-arm 48and pivoted counterclockwise bringing its forward end v intojuxtaposition with the lug 33 of the carrier. Furtherclockwise rotationof the ratchet disk -and carrier head is prevented when the squareshoulder 34 of the lug-'33 engages the adjustable stop 58 f the trigger.-,In this position :of the carrier Ih'ad, the be'velle'd shoulder :35 ofthelug is'in engagement with the 'roller lifl of the trigger, assli'ownin 'Fig. 3. Iriitially,'however, the load, that is to-say, theforce of the tensioned main ispr'ing -TD "which hasbeen tensionedbythe-clock- "wise 1 rotation of the -earrier l head, -is still carried bythe .pawl39. 'Concurrently, the counterclockwise displacement of'the-trigger-has withdrawn itsrear end from in fr-ont of the spur-53 ofthe pivoted trigger 'lock 34 and the latter, urged Joy the;-fqrcedf thetensionspring 55, pivots counterclockwis'e andipos'itions the curvededge 52 of the spur-in' f rontoi the curved edge 50 of the lrigger-s'oas to block the clockwise rotation of eg ste 'Ior-eIease the carrierhead and throwing arm, the operator moves' thecocki-ng bar 25 forwardlyso toreturn the-r-atchet disk 23 to-its original .pesitlon. its theratchet disk begins to rotate -40. counterclockwise, the load formerlycarried by the-pawl is transferred-to the *mutually engaging--surfacesof the lug 3-3 and trigger roller 60. Duringthis-transfer;the-triggertends to-plvot clockwise -dfl6' to the force component of the load --45actizrg parallel-to-the-bevelled surf ace 35, and may -move venyslightlyin this direction. However, ham/appreciabledisplacement of thetrigger is prevented by the trigger lock 54 which, as describedaboveeblocks clockwise :rotation :of the load, the force oftheetensionedr trigger: spring arm -48=a"cting *onthe reduced end 42- orthe pawl pivots the latterclockwise ii'gainstthe relatively light*forc'eof the zpaw-l 'spring 31, thereby disengaging the pawl tooth *40from a correspondingtoothof theratchet diskas shown in Fig. "3.

ms tlie 'ratchetdisk-approaches its original position, its depending lug2-1 first'e'ng'a'ges the :rear

arm' laof the'trigger spring-'4 1 so that the latter {60-isener.gizd=to=-rotate the trigger clockwise. Co'ncnrreritiy, ashoulde'r 83 (Fig. -2') on the "bottom 6f the i-atcliet disk engages aresiliently-mounted pdst' fl '"ii'v hichserves 'to 1 indicate to theoperator that the ratchet disk is approaching trap releas- 'a'ng and,thre'aiterfithe depending -lug 2 1 'rigdges* the i airehdfl 0f -the'trigg'er-lock' a nd positively pivots the lock clockwise so as tou'nldck th trikfir. 'ihe fiiiitr u?gd*-by the 1 ten's'ioned q triggerspnn'g 41 and-the fd1ce component: acting along the bevelledsurface 35ofthelugswings clockw se aria releases he' carrierahdthrcwing The force ofthe tensioncd main spring -tnen 'swings the tnrewm srm and "carrier"around {rapidly cofur'iterclockwise 'l thro'u gh tlie thmwcaehn.

ratchet ;.disk.

As the carrierand throwing arm begin to rotate; the p'awl tooth 40 isinitially lheldout of en? agement with the 'teethlfi oi the ratchet bythe f rearm- 4s of the trigger; spring acting en the rear" render thepawl but'as the carrier continues to" rotate; this end of the pawl iscarried away from the spring arm 48,? whereupoir the force oftheeompressed pawljspring; =31 rotates the? pawl counterclockwise about itspivot3ll; HoWeverjbefor'e the pa moemwas permitted a) engage a tooth 26of the ratchedfthe pawl* tooth overtakes a pawl guard, indicated 1?generally ati 6 5,- which intervenes between the pawl tooth and th'eteethpass freely -'over theteethof the ratch pawl guard 65* is cesenbedmore iull y of the ratchet disk thus enabling thepawl vabove-identifiedRutherfordet all application arid briefly comprises athinsheet metal member r0: tatable about the post l 'I and having areach pro -f vided with two upstanding laterally 'spaoed stops Stand 61arranged on opposite sides respectively of the web 28 of thec'arrierheads" The outer end i of the reachhas a: guardfingertll adaptedto extend overthe te'eth 26 offthe ratchet diski The lateral spacing of thestops GG and'Bl is deslgned i to provide an interval of lost motionbetween the movement of the guatd finger 68 and that of the carrier headwheneverthe latter changes its direction of rotationr Thus, when thecarrier head s lea d. t es ar wfi eer 68 ssmo e ari y immobile and henceis overtaken ywthe'wpawl which engages and rides upon thenguard finger68 out of possibldcontact withthe teeth of the As the carrier headapproaches the en'd throwing arc, its bevelled shoulder 22 engages thebevelled shoulder IQ of the main spring link l9 which rapidlydecelerates the carrier and throwing arm. The carrier head then reversesits direction of rotation, and the pawl guard finger 68 lags behind thepawl sufficiently to leave the teeth of the ratchet disk uncovered, thusenabling the spring biased pawl to swing into engagement with a tooth ofthe disk for recocking the throwing arm.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a carrier having a target throwing arm; means for rotatablysupporting said carrier on said frame; a main spring connected to saidcarrier; means for cocking said carrier comprising a rotatable ratchetdisk, a member to rotate said disk, and a pawl mounted on said carrier,said pawl being arranged normally to engage said ratchet disk and carrythe load effected by tensioning the main spring during the cooking ofsaid carrier; and carrier latching means comprising a trigger mounted onsaid frame and a resilient element associated with said trigger, saidresilient element being arranged to be engaged and actuated by said pawlduring the cooking of said carrier to move said trigger into latchingengagement with said carrier.

2. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a carrier having a target throwing arm; means for rotatablysupporting said carrier on said frame; a main spring connected to saidcarrier; means for cocking said carrier comprising a rotatable ratchetdisk, a member to rotatesaid disk, and a pawl mounted on said carrier,said pawl being arranged normally to engage said ratchet disk and carrythe load effected by tensioning the main spring during the cocking ofsaid carrier; and carrier latching means comprising a trigger mounted onsaid gerllinto latching engagement with said carrier.

3". m devi'ce for throwing targets comprising a base; shame supported onsaid base; a carrier havin g a t'arget throwing arm; means forrotatablysupporting said carrier on said frame; a main spring connectedto said carrier; "means for docking said carrier comprising a lrotatable ratchet disk, a member to rotate said disk, and a pawl mountedonsaid carrier, said pawl being arranged normally to engage said ratchetdisk andcarry the load efiected by tensioning the main sprin' during'the' cocking of said carrier; and latching means comprising a triggermounte bn said frame and a spring associated with said triggensaidspring being arranged to be engaged a'ndf energized by an element ofsaid ratchet l disk when said carrier is in its normal uncooked positionto hold said trigger in inoperative position and to be energized by saidpawl during the' cocking of said carrier tomove said trigger intolatchingengagement with said carrier: i A device forrthrowing targetscomprising a base; a frame supp'ortedon said base; a carrier havingi aittarget throwing arm;means for; re: tatably supporting said carrier onsaid frame; a mainsp'ring connected to said carrier means for cockingsaid carrier comprising a rotatable ratchet disk, a member tojrotatesaid disk, and a pawl mountedion said carrier, said pawl being arfiangednormallyto engage said ratchet disk and carry the load effectedbytensionin-g the main spring during the cocking of said carrier; andcarrier latching means comprising a trigger mounted on said frame and aspring associated with said trigger arranged normally to bias saidtrigger in inoperative position and to be energized by said pawl duringthe cooking of said carrier initially to swing said trigger intolatching engagement with said carrier and thereafter to disengage saidpawl from said ratchet disk.

5. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a carrier having a targetvthrowing arm; means for rotatablysupporting said carrier on said frame; a main spring connected to saidcarrier; means for cooking said carrier comprising a rotatable ratchetdisk, a member to rotate said disk, and a pawl mounted on said carrier,said pawl being arranged normally to engage said ratchet disk and carrythe load effected by tensioning the main spring during the cooking ofsaid carrier; and carrier latching means comprising a trigger mounted onsaid frame and a spring associated with said trigger arranged normallyto bias said trigger in inoperative position and to be energized by saidpawl during the cooking of said carrier initially to swing said triggeririto latching engagement with said carrier and thereafter to hold saidpawl out of engagement with said ratchet disk during the initialmovement of said carrier when released.

6. A device for throwing targets comprising a base; a frame supported onsaid base; a carrier having a target throwing arm; means for rotatablysupporting said carrier on said frame; a main spring connected to saidcarrier; means for cooking said carrier comprising a rotatable ratchetdisk, a member to rotate said disk, and a pawl mounted on said carrierhaving a lever arm, said pawl being arranged normally to engage saidmanner.

ratchet disk to. carry: thexloadi efieotedrbm tentsioning: the main.spring: duringi thewcocking ofi said. carrier; and means; to: latch:the; iiicocked: position comprising; a: trigger; aoresilienttelement:associatedwith saidtrigger andarmnged to beienergized by theleverarm ofisaidtpawiiduringthe cooking of said-carrierto:swingasaid.triz,- ger into carrier latching, position; and;an::e1e.-- ment on said carrier'construotedandemangedatm engage saidtrigger when said carrier isu-inwcocked; position. to transfer.- theloadof said tensionzm'ain. spring from said pawl to s'ai-dtrigger;

'7. A device; for throwingtargets'r comprising-a base; a. framesupported ongsaid base; a carriers having. a throwing arm; means for:rotatablmsup portingsaidearrier: on saidirame: amain spring, connectedto said carrier; meanssior 'cockinglisaid carrier comprising aratchetdiSka rotatableireely; on said carrier supporting means, a pawl mountedon.-. said carrier and arranged normally to? engage. a tooth of saidratchet disk to couplesaiddislmo said carrier, and a member to: rotate:-said: thereby to swing saidcarrien into cookedipositiori andtension-said main :spring; and? means. towlatch said carrierincockedpositioncomprising aztrigy ger mounted on said frame and atrigger spring associated with said trigger, 'saidi trigger springcomprising; a pair-015 resilient arms; one of said armsbeing arranged tobe engaged" by anr'elementof saidratchet' disk when said ,carzierrisrinits; normal uncooked a position to; hold saidtrigzeit ininoperativeposition, the other :arm ofzsaid spring: being; arranged to be engagedbyysaidipa'wi during; the cocking, of said carrierfito-swing? saidtrigger from its inoperative position:intoilatchingengagement:with-saidt-carrier;

8; A devieezfori throwing targets: comprising a base: a. frame,supported: on: saidbase; a carrier having, aothmwinggarm;-:m'eans,f.orrotataloly; supporting saidioarrier onsaidframe; a mainspring, connectedtor'said carrier; meansfor cocking said oarxien oomprising; atratchetdiskrotatabledreely on saidzcarr-ier snpportingsmeans, aipawl mountedant-said: carrier andf. arranged normally: toengage attooth-i on said:ratchet disis' to couple: said: disk to said-icanrier andatmember'to-rotateisaid disk thereby:- to swingzs-aid carrier-into.cocked position and-3tensiom saidtmainispringi; and means to latch.said; carrienin cookedtposition comprisinmaitrige ger mounted onsaidframe andaatrigger spring, associated-with said trigger said:trigger spring oomprisingq a pair of. resilient arms, one:o1 said armsbeingq arrangedtto be-zengaged by an. element FRANGISrG meow.

REEERENCES CIT-ED:

lfoiiowing references are l of" record in'- theflieof this. patent:

f mu eums: EATENTS" Number Name Date 158,139 Binghami1- s -vMay I6; 1939

